Yoga for Glowing Skin

Yoga for Glowing Skin

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who’s the fairest of them all?”

We being Indians, mostly suffer from the WSS (white skin syndrome). We crave for a fair complexion all our lives. And for that we go all the way from buying imported creams to applying ubtans and what not. Yes, we al have done these things at some point in our lives

However, there’s nothing wrong about it, but we tend to forget the importance of ‘glowing’ skin. Complexion would make no difference without that gorgeous glow.

I have been practicing yoga for over three years now. I suffered from a few skin problems earlier and also had highly sensitive skin, which made it even more difficult for me to apply any concoctions. My instructor made me practice a few asanas and pranayam and assured me that I would notice a visible change in my skin. At that time, I did not believe it completely but I followed her instructions properly. Within six months, my skin started to behave itself – the acne was vanishing, the oiliness was slightly reduced and my cheeks had a subtle, rosy colour. I was showered with compliments which made me stick to my yoga routine all the more strictly.

The glow that I am talking about, however, comes along in due course of time. You would definitely start seeing changes that you thought could never happen within a few months time but for consistent results you’d have to put in consistent efforts as well. The most important advantage of yoga is that once you make it a part of your routine, even if it is half an hour, these changes become a part of your body. Being a make up and beauty addict myself, I used to fall prey to the whitening and brightening products too but it was only after some rigorous months of practicing yoga that I realized how foolish I have been.

Here are some asanas that shall help you change your skin forever :

1. Kapalbhati Kriya

– Sit in any comfortable posture – Keep your back & neck straight – Exhale forcefully through your nostrils and while exhaling, pull your abdomen in forcefully – Inhale normally – Repeat this kriya for 5 to 10 minutes – This kriya is also helpful in shedding excess weight around the stomach

2. Varun Mudra

– This can be performed anywhere – Join the tip of your little finger with the tip of your thumb – Ensure that the other fingers are straight – The nails should not be pressurized as it may lead to dryness in skin – This mudra purifies the blood which in turn makes the skin better – It also prevents dehydration

3. Dhanurasana

– Lie on your belly with your hands along side your torso with palms up – Exhale and bend your knees bringing them as close to your buttocks as possible – Reach back with your hands and grab your ankles (not your toes) – The gap between your knees should not be more than the width of your hips – Inhale and lift your heels away from your buttocks.Also, lift your thighs off the floor – In effect, your upper torso and head would be lifted off the floor – Try lifting your heels & thighs higher and press your shoulder blades firmly against your back – With your belly pressed against the floor, make sure to keep breathing normally – Hold this pose for about 20 seconds or till you are comfortable

4. Shitli Kumbhak Pranayam

– Fold your tongue so that it protrudes slightly from your mouth – Inhale through the mouth – Close your mouth and hold the air in your stomach for a few seconds – Exhale through the nose – This pranayam improves blood circulation and hence, improves skin. Also, it delays the appearance of wrinkles.

These asanas are easy to perform and are not very time-consuming. You should try and make it a part of your routine to see the desired results. Remember, yoga works slowly but surely. If you are patient and consistent, you can certainly improve your skin without chemicals or harmful substances. Well, the only thumb rule is to keep stress at bay and be happy!

Good article Mehr.. even I practice yoga from 4 years, the pranayams that you have mentioned actually bring glow to the face also, tone the facial muscles and since conscious breathing is involved in them they also bring peace to the mind..I had developed bad skin infection due to soya milk(which my gym instructor suggested), my derma said it would take 4 to 5 months to heal completely. But, with yoga practice my skin healed in 2 months time. I believe yoga is the best thing you can give to your mind and body

Thank you, Nidhi That’s true once you start yoga on a regular basis, all body processes become swift and consistent. You know I read Rujuta’s(kareena kapoor’s trainer) and she had given her own example of how she recovered from ligament tear much faster than expected…all thanks to YOGA :yes:

Okaie.I will read it too. I read a book by Renu Mahtani, she had a horrible skin disease and she had a bad inferiority complex because of that but with the regular pranayams she got a better hold of her skin :)..you can read the book, it is really insightful.

Nice article… Most of us know that yoga is good old art and science of holistic lifestyle and well being but still we are so lazy to follow it :yawn: . But articles like this will really boost our energy and encourages us to practice it. :waytogo:

haan sachi 3 years well i do a variety and it takes me 1 hr i start with anulom vilom then kapaalbhaati..then i do butterfly..then i do naukasana with 10 leg raises up and down then i do pilates 100’s and sometimes i include crunches here then halasna and chakrasana uske baad i do camel pose..aur 3 poses dun know their names then i do suryanamaskar then tree pose warrior pose and 1 more basically i divide my yoga in sitting, lying and standing positions then deep breathing for few mins..n m done..pheww!!!

Hey Shaili, it is great that you practice it regularly for 1 hour! I would suggest you to change the order. Please do the pranayams after you are done with the asans. Asans are basically to warm up and stretch up your body parts. Pranayams are breathing exercise for internal body organs. So, it is always good to do them after your body has gained enough flexibility through asans. And, in pranayams also their is a certain order you should follow. 1. kapalbhati 2. anulom vilom 3. om chanting… This prompts me to write a post elaborating everything with its significance.

Wonderful post, Mehr! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: I was initiated at the age of 12 (through no voluntary will of my own) into Yoga by my dad who’s a major Yoga addict. For a couple of years, I practised it every morning (though with a slightly sour face :yuck: ) and I now remember that I’d never been calmer than I was then. Perhaps that helped me get clear, acne-free skin which lasted throughout my teens even though in a fit of rebellion, I stopped my daily Yoga practice at 14 and took to lolling around or playing street football with other kids. I’ve recently rediscovered it after nearly 6-7 years and have been practising power Yoga every day for a few months now (and happily, my body is extremely flexible thanks to early years of Yoga). I’ve noticed that not only gives you a glow but also brings a kind of strong and happy feeling. It’s the kind of feeling which makes you believe that you can kill basilisks and wrestle wild boars all before lunch. :woot: By the way, about the tongue rolling action mentioned for Shitli Kumbhak Pranayam – did you know that it can’t be done by everyone? Tongue-rolling ability is a genetic trait – some have it and others don’t. :stars:

I have also practised yoga for many years. Even by professional trainer. Mom still does it bt now I don’t. I get bored easily with yoga . bt it is such an awesome exercise both for body and mind. :yes: :yes:

Rati..that is not your problem alone, most of the people get bored sooner or later. I would blame the trainer in that case as part from just the asans and pranayms yoga needs mental conditioning also. isiliye it is always good to learn it under a good trainer and when you start realizing the benefits you would rather want to delve deeper and to spend more time :)..sachhhi :drool:

I too get easily bored with yoga. That’s why I’ve started power Yoga which is slightly fast paced and more vigorous. I change the routine every few months to keep it fresh and interesting. I started with the usual asanas that I remembered and a few from some Iyenger yoga book of my dad’s. Then, I got bored and took to Shilpa Shetty’s yoga CD. That made me yawn in a month or two as well. After that, I tried the MTV Power Yoga & Pilates (I alternate them sometimes) and then I was used to this changing-the-routine system. These days, I’m using a new Power Yoga CD (forgot the name of the instructor :silly: ) which is slightly more challenging and when I’m in a too-bored-for-Yoga mood and can’t do the usual 1-hour session, then I go for a 20 minute Yoga routine. It’s not easy to stick to it. That’s why I keep blowing off money in Music World hunting new Yoga CDs. :X-P: :stars:

I totally second this…initially I got bored within the first 15 minutes or so! And I thought it was just me, but I guess it’s normal. Well you’re right, some good music to pump you up and you’re back on track :yahoo: